Hapinoy (At1ndahan Inc.) has been chosen as the Philippine grantee of the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific, a regional program that supports underserved communities with access to AI training and tools. The program is run by Google.org with help from AVPN and the Asian Development Bank.
Why it matters: This program will help Hapinoy offer AI-based training to microentrepreneurs in the Philippines, especially women who run sari-sari stores. These stores are a vital part of many local communities, and using AI tools can help them grow and become more efficient.
The AI Opportunity Fund has a total budget of $27 million, supporting 49 groups across 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific. The goal is to train over 720,000 workers and 100,000 MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), making sure more people understand and can use AI in their businesses.
Hapinoy has long worked with sari-sari storeowners by offering skills training, access to supply chains, financing options, and digital tools. Through this fund, the group will now include AI training that focuses on improving store operations, managing finances, and opening new business opportunities.
A representative from Hapinoy said the group’s approach combines digital platforms with community-based training. “By using both technology and face-to-face learning, we can make AI more useful and easier to understand for sari-sari storeowners. This way, these women can grow their businesses and better support their families and communities.”
Sanjay Gupta, President of Google Asia Pacific, shared in a blog post, “A shift towards an AI-powered economy needs to be fair and inclusive. Through the AI Opportunity Fund, we aim to give more people the knowledge and tools they need to take part in this change.”
This program is part of Google.org’s ongoing efforts to support communities in the AI era. With groups like Hapinoy, the fund is working to make the digital economy more inclusive so that entrepreneurs in every corner of the Philippines can benefit.
What do you think about sari-sari stores using AI to help grow their businesses?
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